Why is the doctrine of the incarnation essential for Christians?

The incarnation is essential because it bridges the gap between God and humanity. In Matthew 1:23, Jesus is called Emmanuel, meaning 'God with us.' This doctrine asserts that Jesus, while being fully God, took on human nature to fulfill God's promise of salvation. He had to be a genuine man to be our representative, obeying the law in our stead and offering a perfect sacrifice for our sins. Without the incarnation, the doctrine of substitutionary atonement fails, as there would be no perfect human mediator. Thus, it is the incarnation that makes salvation possible for us, allowing us to relate to God through Christ.